Court halts Ratchadamri condo project

The Central Administrative Court has suspended a construction licence given to a high-end residence project on Ratchadamri Road, saying the Office of the Privy Purse does not have authority to endorse the licence request.

Srisuwan Janya, president of the Stop Global Warming Association who filed a petition to the court, said the court ruled in favour of his request. He argued the licence for the Makadlekluang II Residence in Pathumwan district was obtained illegally.

The court said the Office of the Privy Purse is not a corporation, but is only a "unit" under the Bureau of the Royal Household which has no authority to seek a licence. Only a corporate company could seek one.

The licence was issued by City Hall's Department of Public Works to the Office of the Privy Purse to build a 41-storey building on soi Mahadlek Luang II in Pathumwan district.

Although the law allows a corporate entity to seek the licence, the decision to issue the licence still rails against ministerial regulations written to protect individual and public benefits regarding safety, fire prevention, and traffic convenience.

"If construction is allowed, it might create an adverse impact," Mr Srisuwan said